vertical-endeavour.com

Been using GP brand rechargeable NiMH batteries for my GPS (2 x AA), which is always on while I'm walking. My first batch of 2100 mAh batteries lasted me up to 3 days at a time. Now they are older and only manage half that. Subsequent purchases of 2300, 2500 and 2700mAh versions only seemed to perform worse, not better. I took my 2700's back and they replaced them, but they still bomb after only a few hours of operation.

Been looking at Duracell and Energiser rechargeables that I've seen on the shelves. Anyone had any experience with these? Any know of other good brands for GPSes out there?

Actually you started a good thread. I meant to ask some time ago too, but never got to it.

I'm using 2 x AA 2200mah Chamelleon in my gps & they last like 2 days. I've actually got a set of Energisers, but they're only 2000mah. Will give these a run, since I'm not going to use my headlamp with them installed on this comig trip.

A friend of mine is working at an electrical shop & he said he want to try & find out which batteries is best for torches, cameras & gps's. Once he's given me some info I'll post here, but do post if you've found the 'right' ones.

PS: That same frien told me that you get a rechargable battery that hold it's charge for longer than 6 months, which is like a 'better' NIMH battery I guess. Not too sure what they're called. Will post...

I use the GP 2000 range and so far they last 2 days if I switch the GPS of after the day's hike. My GPS will finish a set of batteries in 24 hrs ony way - tested by me. Value for money is the lithium batteries the last and last, but they are pricy. The energizer's I have build up a memory very quickly and will not even last long in a head lamp any more. The new Ross batteries is suposse to keep there charge for a wile - I have tried them only recently and can not yet say if they are going to be better or not. I always carry extra batteries, important to protect them from the cold, as the cold seems to drain them quickly.

This is related to rechargeable batteries, but not for gps. I have just purchased an Energizer XP8000, which charges up mobile phones from a usb connection, the smaller laptop type machines, camcorders and other various things. It comes with a selection of tips for mobiles and also laptops.

With a fully drained battery on my iphone 4, it takes 3 hours to recharge from the portable battery which then uses about 1/4 or 1/8th of the juice in the battery. They say you should be able to get 16 hours for a mobile. I am going to drain my phone and recharge it and will then see how many times it recharges it and will report back.

It is 110mm x 75mm x 24mm and weighs 200g without additional tips etc. Obviously on a trip you will only carry the tips you need, and will the leave the wall charger part at home. Energizer has a number of different models, the top being the XP18000 which can give 4 hours of charge to a laptop and 42 hours to a mobile phone, although this weighs in at 500g.

Well it appears that it charges the phone three times. I also had it in flight mode, so that there was almost no drain on the charge. I suppose three times is not bad though, it will last you plenty in the mountains. I am not sure if this equates to 16 hours extra, sounds about right.

That XP8000 seems pretty handy to have, pity they seem to be quite expensive. I recently aquired a solar powered phone charger, but it seems to be entirely useless. Full day in the sun only charges my Galaxy S to about 6%. Pre-charged via a pc, it charges phone to 20%.